Sophie Hunger, Dino Brandão & Faber Captivate Zurich with Sold-Out Christmas Concerts
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A trio of acclaimed Swiss musicians – Sophie Hunger, Dino Brandão, and Faber – delivered a series of five sold-out concerts at Kaufleuten in Zurich leading up to the new year, offering a cathartic experience for audiences still navigating collective anxieties. The opening performance showcased a remarkable ability to connect with listeners, with Dino Brandão emerging as a particular standout.
A “Manifesto of Love” in Challenging Times
The concerts centered around the trio’s 2020 album, “I love you,” a project born during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and released without prior announcement. Entirely in Swiss German, the album is described as a sensitive and sensual “manifesto of love” created for a time of enforced distance. The pandemic initially prevented a tour supporting the album, with the musicians only appearing sporadically at events like the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Demand for the concerts proved exceptionally high, prompting organizers to add two additional shows to the initial three planned at Kaufleuten. All five evenings were completely sold out, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the trio’s music.
An Intimate Atmosphere and Powerful Performances
The atmosphere at Kaufleuten was described as intimate, resembling a large living room with the musicians seated under a large chandelier. The performance began without fanfare, with fine guitar tones and a hummed melody before launching into the opening line from the album: “The sun burns from heaven and it burns for me.”
Lia Neff, performing as Follia, opened the evening with a captivating solo set featuring double bass and a loop station. Her eloquent lyrics quickly resonated with the audience, culminating in a three-part choral rendition of her final song.
The core of the evening featured the harmonious blend of Faber, Hunger, and Brandão’s voices, shifting in color and shape with each song. A particularly striking moment involved Faber’s repetition of the line “Nei dihei wait nüt uf mich” from “Hoffnigslos Hoffnigslos,” supported by a canon created by Hunger and Brandão. The musicians also showcased a dynamic interplay, at times appearing to play songs for each other, creating a uniquely intimate experience for the audience. Faber even debuted a new, politically charged song with ironic undertones, declaring, “I’m not part of the solution, I’m the cause of the problem. But I have chained myself to you, you will perish with me.”
Hunger’s Depth and Brandão’s Brilliance
Sophie Hunger, a veteran of the Swiss and international music scene, effortlessly combined entertainment with intellectual depth. She showcased her versatility with danceable moments, including a cover of Arno’s socially critical “Putain Putain,” and shared a humorous anecdote about Dino Brandão’s initial desire to title the album “Fudispalt.” Hunger’s lyrics, described as originating from a “collective subconscious,” resonated deeply with the audience.
However, it was Dino Brandão who truly shone. The musician has experienced a particularly eventful year, with the November release of Moris Freiburghaus’s film “I love you, I leave you,” which documents Brandão’s experience with bipolar disorder. The film garnered two prizes at the Zurich Film Festival.
Brandão’s performance of songs from the album, including the Portuguese lament “Lamento Maluco,” highlighted his impressive vocal range. His performance visibly moved both his bandmates – Faber was seen grinning, while Hunger closed her eyes in appreciation – and the audience, who responded with unusually long and enthusiastic applause.
A Christmas Gift for Zurich
The album’s creation during a period of isolation lends a particular resonance to these performances. Despite the easing of pandemic restrictions, collective anxieties remain, and this concert series offers a cathartic experience centered around the theme of love. The evening was described as “a Christmas present for Zurich that will hopefully resonate for a long time.”
